Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has insisted that the biggest players in the world would still prefer to move to Old Trafford rather than join Manchester City.

On Monday, Alexis Sanchez is expected to complete a transfer from Arsenal to United after deciding to snub interest from City, who had been keen to sign the Chilean international during the summer.

Much has been made of City being unwilling to finance a deal midway through the campaign when they could have signed Sanchez on a free transfer in six months' time, but Ince has claimed that Sanchez has simply decided to join a club which is "miles bigger".

The 50-year-old told The Mirror: "Everyone is raving about City. But when it comes to the two clubs, Man United are miles bigger than City. Players would still prefer to go to them over Pep's side – that's a fact. Players won't go to City because they think they're a bigger, more historic club than United. Because they're simply not.

"Some might get the quick satisfaction of winning the league this year, but those years of history, and the side that Mourinho is building – players want to be a part of that.

"This signing only confirms that. Sanchez had the opportunity to go into a team where he could have won a trophy. But he didn't, he chose to go to United because of everything they stand for and that says a lot about the size of the club."

City currently sit 12 points clear of United in the Premier League table.